Classification of Cypriniformes

Cypriniformes is an enormously successful group of freshwater fishes. This order contains 3000 or so species, divided into main three lines of development- the characins-piranhas and their relatives- from Central to South American and Africa; the electric eels from tropical and subtropical Central and South America; and, finally the carps and their allies of the family Cyprinidae which gave the order its name. With about 1600 species, the carp family is the largest of all fish families. The members occur in North America, Africa, Europe and Asia (source: Animals Encyclopedia). According to Nelson (1984) this order contains 2422 species.

Major characteristics of Cyprinoid fishes are- mouth usually protectile and always toothless. Barbers may be present or absent. Adipose fin usually absent with exception in some cobitids. Body of cyprinoid fish covered with cycloid scales and head usually scales less. Pelvic fins abdominal and weberian apparatus present. 3 branchiostegal rays and members are oviparous.

However, the classification of order Cypriniformes based on fishes available in the Indian subcontinent are given below-

Families of Cypriniformes:

Family 01: Cyprinidae (carps and minnows)
Family 02: Parapsilorhynchidae
Family 03: Psilorhynchidae
Family 04: Balitoridae (Loaches)
Family 05: Cobitidae (Loaches)

Family 01: Cyprinidae (carps and minnows)

Body compressed; rounded abdomen or with a sharp edge.

Terminal to inferior mouth and always toothless, head scales less.

Barbels present or absent, wide gill opening.

3 branchiostegal rays. Belly usually rounded and without any scuits.

Jaws with no teeth but having strong pharyngeal teeth (key character of carps).

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Shams works in freshwater ecosystems, primarily on fish diversity in terms of their availability, and richness; he is also interested in aquatic invasive species and their impacts on ecosystem. Email: thegalib@gmail.com. More...